Ventilating device



Sept. 10, 1963 F. P. NoLL VENTILATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 1. 1960 w N EL w MN W! Qin N NM? bkr, 1 EN MQ IN V EN TOR.

Sept 10, 1963 F. P. NoLL VENTILATING DEVICE 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Junel, 1960 INVENToR. FAn//f f? ou United States Patent 3,103,153VENTILATING DEVICE Frank P. Noll, 132 Chews Landing Road, Clementon PostOffice, Lindenwold, NJ. Filed June 1, 1960, Ser. No. 33,200 7 Claims.(Cl. 98-1tl6) This invention relates generally to Ventilating devicesfor use in building construction, of the general type disclosed in myprior United States Patent No. 2,814,977 issued December 3, 1957.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a Ventilatingdevice which is simpler in construction, more economical to manufacture,more durable and reliable in use, `and which is highly versatile inoperation, being readily selectively converted between automatic andmanual operation.

lit is a further object of the present invention to provide aVentilating device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned inthe preceding paragraph which is more compact so as to occupy less spacefor eti'ecting substantial economies in manufacture, storage,distribution and install-ation, as well as bein-g effective to excludeforeign matter, such as sand, dust, nain and the like from entry through.the building-wall opening.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developedfor use as a basement or attic ventilator, and will be illustrated landdescribed hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it isappreciated that the invention is capable of many varied applications,all of which are intended to become comprehended herein.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the `accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the:scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a -front elevational view showing a Ventilating deviceconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line2-2 of FIGURE 1; p

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 3--3 of FIGURE 1, somewhat enlarged for clarity of illustration;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional View tak-en substantially along theline 4 4 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial view similar to FIGURE 2, but showing an.alternative ventilator-actuating means.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and speciiically toFIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, the Ventilating device is there generallydesignated lll, and includes an open frame or bounding structure 11across which is mounted a grille 12. Inward or rearward of the boundingstructure or frame 11 and grille 12 is a housing 13. The housing 13includes an openable closure, Wall or plate 14. An operating link-age 15is connected to the closure 14 'for operating the latter responsive toactuation by temperature-sensitive actuating means 16.

The bounding structure or frame 11 may be generally rectangular yandfabricated of angle stock, including lower and upper horizontal piecesand 21, and a pair of side pieces 22 extending vertically between thelower and upper pieces. The angle pieces are arranged in end-toendrelation with one flange of each all in substantially coplanar relation,the remaining flanges combining to define a rearwardly extendingperipheral flange about 3,103,158 Patented Sept. 10, 1963 ice the frameor bounding structure. A pair of setscrews 25 may extend in threadedengagement through and latenally outward beyond each of the side framepieces 22 and serve as positioning elements to hold the frame in labuilding-wall opening prior to calking, cettnenting or otherwisesecuring the frame -in position.

The housing 13 includes a lower wall 27 extending from the lower framepiece 20 obliquely rearward and upward, and a pair of generallyvertically disposed side walls 28 each extending inward from arespective frame side piece 22 `and upward Vfrom the lower housing wall27. The lower housing -wall 27 may have a dependent forward-edge flange29 secured to the upstanding flange of the lower Vframe piece 20, as byfasteners 30'; and, the side housing walls 2S may be similarly securedto the respective adjacent side frame pieces 22. Also, a top housingmember 31 may extend obliquely inward and `downward from the upper framepiece 21, having an upstandin-g upper-edge flange '32 secured to thevertical flange of the upper frame piece by fasteners 33. If desired,the housing walls 27, 28 and 31 may be formed integrally with thebounding structure or frame 21, as by die-casting or other suitablemeans.

The closure member or plate 14 is `hingedly connected to the upper-housing wall 31, as 'by a hinge. 35 for swinging movement between theclosed, solid-line position of FIGURE 2, and the opendotaand-dash-outline position. The hinge 35 has a generally horizontallyextending `axis about which the closure :14 swings; and, a sealinggasket 36 of rubber, or other suitable material may be secured about theperipheral margin of the closure 14 for hrm sealing engagement with thelower, side and top walls of the housing in the closed position of theclosure.

A generally vertically extending, forwardly tacing channel `member orchimney element 38 has its lower and upper ends secured respectively tothe lowerand upper-end flanges 29 and 32 of the lower and upper housi-ngwalls 27 and 31. Also, a generally rectangular inner, louvered grille 39may be interposed between the channel 38 and the upstanding flange 32,extending across fthe upper forward region of the housing. 'The louveredelement or grille 39 includes a plurality of obliquely inwardly yandupwardly extending louvers or vanes 40. The channel 38 and louveredygrille 39 may also be secured by the fasteners 30 and 33. In ya regionof the channel 38 adjacent to but spaced upward from the lower endthereof, there is formed a forwardly and rearwardly opening through slotor hole 41, for a purpose appealing presently.

`Extending across the front of the bounding structure or frame 31, infront of the channel 38 and louvered element 39, is the generallyrectangular grille 12. The grille 12 is formed with a plurality ofobliquely forwardly and downwardly extending louvers or vanes 43, whichmay be stamped out or otherwise upset from the sheet material of thegrille. A vertically extending fmedial region 44 of the grille 12,located just in front of the channel 38, is not formed with vanes orlouvers, but remains imperforate. Along the upper edge of the grille 12is formed a rearwardly extending upper-edge liange 45, while arearwardly extending side-edge ilange 46 isformed along each side edgeof the grille. Along the lower edge of the grille 12 is formed anobliquely downwardly and inwardly extending lower-edge ilange 47, whichmay be scalloped, or otherwise formed with a plurality of loweredgecutouts 48. The edge flanges 45, 46 and 47 of lthe grille 12 extendrearward -into engagement with the front wall of the frame structure 11;and, the grille 12 is secured in position by a plurality of fasteners 49extending inward.

through the grille into the frame structure. Preferably l .3 insectscreening 50 is secured on the inner surface of the grille 12, as byspot-welding or other suitable means.

If desired, say for purposes of eld assembly, the housing 13, channel33, and louvered element 39 may be assembled together, but separate fromthe frame structure 11. At the time of installation, the housingassembly may be placed in the frame structure 11, with the grille 12arranged in front, and the grille and housing assembly together securedto the frame structure by fasteners 49. If desired, the louvered element39 may be omitted when the grille 12 is also louvered.

The unlouvered medial portion 44 of the grille 12 is provided with aforwardly and rearwardly opening through slot or hole 52 in registrywith the channel opening 41. A rocker arm or lever 53 of the operatinglinkage extends forwardly and rearwardly through the registeringopenings 41 and 52, having its forward end in front of ythe grille 12and its rearward end behind the grille within the housing 13. Adownwardly facing notch 54 is formed in the lever 53 and receives thelower edge of the vgrille opening '52, the latter forming a fulcrum tomount the lever for rocking movement about a generally horizontal,laterally extending axis. That is, the ends of lever 53 are movablegenerally up and down upon rocking movement of the lever 53. Interiorlywithin the housing 13 is a link 55 having its lower end pivoted, as at56 to the rear end of the lever 53, and having its other end piuoted, asat 57, to an ear 5S fixed interiorly to an upper region of the closure14. Thus, down-ward movement of the forward end of lever 53 is effectiveto swing the closure 14' from its closed, solid-line position, to itsopen, dot-and-dash-outline position. ySuitable resilient means, say inthe form of a tension spring 6@ serves to resiliently bias the closure14 toward its closed position. Specifically, the spring 6l) may bearranged interiorly of the housing 13, having one end connected to thelever 53 between the fulcrum-receiving cutout 54 and the inner leverend, and depending for anchorage to a lug 61 fixed to a lower interiorregion of the housing. ,'Ihus, the spring 6i) serves to resiliently drawthe inner end of the lever 53 downward, and through the link 55 -totightly close the closure plate 14 and effectively -seal the housing,The actuatiug means 16 includes a temperature-responsive element 63which contains a mixture of wax and metal lines operable'upon a changeof state by the wax to exert force or pressure on a diaphragm. Thistemperature-sensitive element is conventional and sometimes called bythe trademark Vernatherm. Depending from the casing of thetemperature-sensitive device 63 there may be an externallythreadedysleeve 64 receiving a depending plunger 65. In suchtemperature-responsive devices it is essential that a predetermined,minimum external pressure be exerted at all times upon the diaphragm, asthrough the plunger 65. A bracket 66 is lixed to the medial portion 44of the grille 12, as by fasteners 67, and extends` outward from thegrille, threadedly receiving the vertically disposed sleeve 64. Alocknut 68 may be provided on the sleeve 64 to fix the latter in anyselected position of adjustment relative to the bracket 66.

Interposed between the lower end of the plunger 65 and the forward endof the lever 53 is an extension rod Ior pusher 70. The pusher rod 70 hasits upper-end region 71 axially bored or cupped to slidably receive thelowerend portion of the plunger 65, and is provided withan annularexternal shoulder or abutment 72 adjacent to and spaced below the upperend of the lpusher rod. The forward-end region of the lever 53 is formedon its upper edge with a generally semicircular or arcuate cutout 73;and, the lower end of the pusher rod 70 is bifurcated or forked toengage inthe cutout 73 and straddle fthe forwardend region of the lever.More specifically, see FIGURE 4, the lower-end region of the pusher rod70 is formed with an end slot 75 terminating in an edge 76 and dening-on opposite sides of the slot a pair of legs 77. The

downwardly facing inner surface or edge 76 of the slot 75 engages orbears against the arcuate edge of cutout 73,

while the legs 77 will fit freely astride the forward region of thelever 53. A generally semispherical head or body 79 is circumposed aboutand freely islidable on the pusher rod 70, and conformably received inthe generally semicircular cutout 73. Suitable resilient means urges thehead 79 downward relative to the pusher rod 70, such as av coilcompression spring 8l) circumposed about the pusher rod and having itsopposite ends in bearing engagement with the shoulder 72 and the upper,generally at surface of theV head.

By this floating connection between the pusher rod 7i) and lever 53, itwill be apparent that substantially vertical downward movement of thepusher rod 70, as effected by the plunger 65, will causecounterclockwise rotation of the lever 53 without binding. Further, atelast a predetermined minimum upward force is maintained at all times onthe plunger 65, as by the force of spring 3@ exerted through theshoulder 72 and pusher rod 7 t).

A protective cover or shield 81 may be arranged over thetemperature-sensitive device 63, being xed rto the grille 12 by fastenermeans 82, to protect the temperaturesensitive device from the elements.

At installation, the temperature-sensitive element 63 is adjusted in thebracket 66 so as to just initiate opening of the closure 14 atfifty-five degrees IFahrenheit. The temperature-sensitive element 63 isthen rotated upward about one half revolution, and locked in position bythe loclinut 63. In this condition, the opening of the closure 14 willbe initiated at about fty-live degrees, and full opening achieved atabout seventy degrees. Of course, throughout all positions of theclosure 14, the spring 60 acts to maintain pressure against the plunger65. IHence, the spring '80 may be eliminated if it is desired to relyentirely upon the spring 6u. However, should the spring 613 becomedistended, or otherwise reduced in effectiveness, the :spring 80 willserve to maintain the desired force upward against the plunger 65.

With the louvered element 39 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, awide variety of forward or outer grilles may be substituted for thegrille 12 without 4danger of foreign matter such as rain water passingentirely through the ventilator. That is, even if rain ente-rs into thehousing 13 below the louvered element 39, such rain will fall upon thelower housing wall 27 and drain therefrom forward and downward for exitthrough the cutouts 48. Hence, a wide variety of ornamental grilles maybe employed, if desired.

`In addition to the external shield 81 protecting thetemperature-sensitive element 63 from, say direct rays yof the sun, thechannel 38 combines with the grille region 44 to define therebetween anairspace serving to insulate the temperature-sensitive `element fromaccumulated heat within the housing.

In the alternative form of FIGURE 5, the actuating mechanism 16 and itsshield `31 may be eliminated. 1n place thereof a threaded bolt 85 may bethreadedly engaged vertically downward through the bracket 66 and haveits lower-end region bored for freely receiving the upper end of apusher rod 86. The lower end 87 of the pusher rod is bifurcated `forengagement astride the for- Iward region of lever 53. Obviously, theclosure 14 may then be selectively positioned as desired by mererotation of the bolt 85 to the necessary vertical location.

From the foregoing it is seen that the present invention provides aventilator lwhich 4fully accomplishes its intended objects, being highlyversatile in use, electively excluding foreign matter, such as rain anddirt, providing maximum open area for flow of Ventilating medium, andeecting tight closure and seal when desired.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modilications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A Ventilating device :for a building-wall opening comprising an openbounding structure for insertion in a buildingwall opening, a grilleextending across said bounding structure, a lower wall extending lupwardand inward from `a lower region of said bounding structure, side wallsextending inward from opposite sides of said bounding structure to saidlower wall, a closure swingably mounted on an upper region of saidbounding structure and gravitationally urged to a position extendingdownward and inwand into closing relation with said lower and sideWalls, said closure being swingable upward against gravity away fromsaid lower and side walls to an open position, an operating linkagehaving one end connected to said closure and having its other yendextending exteriorly of said grille, and actuating means carriedexteriorly of said closure for actuating said linkage to position saidclosure, said ygrille being spaced from the `forward end yof said lowerwall and the lower region of said bounding structure for gravity removalof foreign matter `from said lower wall exteriorly of said boundingstructure.

2. A Ventilating :device according to claim 1, in combination withlouvers within an upper region of said bounding structure slantinglobliquely upward and inward, said louvers serving to obstruct the entryof rain through said bounding structure `except onto said lower wall.

3. A Ventilating device according to claim l, said actuating means beingmanual for selective opening and closing of said closure.

4. A Ventilating device according to claim l, said actuating meanscomprising a threaded member operatively connected between said grilleand lever tor opening and closing of said closure.

5. A Ventilating device for a building-wall opening comprising an lopenbounding structure for insertion in a building-wall opening, a grilleextending across said bounding structure, a lower wall extending upwardand inward yfrom a lower region ol said bounding structure, side wallsextending inward `from 4opposite sides of said bounding structure tosaid lower wall, mounting means rfor swingably securing a closure to anupper region or said bounding structure, a closure mounted on saidmounting mea-ns and gravitationally urged to a position extendingdownward and inward into closing relation with said lower and sidewalls, said closure being swingable upwar'd against gravity away fromsaid lower and side walls to an lopen position, an `operating linkage,and actuating means carried exteriorly of said grille -for actuatingsaid linkage to position said closure, said linkage comprising a leverextending through said grille having its opposite ends respectivelyoutward and inward of said grille and pivotally mounted intermediate itsends for swinging about a generally horizontal axis, the tou-ter end ofsaid lever being connected to said actuating means, and said linkagemeans comprising a link connecting the inner end of said lever and saidclosure at a location downward of the closure-mounting means foractuation of said link against the weight of said closure in all closurepositions, said actuating means comprising a thermal-responsive elementmounted on said Igrille and connected to said linkage for positioningsaid closure in response to ambient temperature, and a shield over theexterior of said actuating means to exclude direct sunlight fromoperating said actuating means.

6. A Ventilating device for a building-wall opening comprising an openbounding structure for insertion in a building-wall opening, a Igrilleextending across said bounding structure, a lower wall extendingupwardly and inwardly yfrom a lower region of said bounding structure,side walls extending inwardly from opposite sides of said boundingstructure to said lower wall, :mounting means for swingably securing aclosure to an upper region .of said bounding structure, a closuremounted on said mounting means and gravitationally urged toy a positionextending downwardly and inwardly into closing relation with said lowerand side walls, said closure being swingable against gravity `upwardaway from said lower wall to an lopen position, a lever extendingthrough a lower region of said grille having its ends on opposite sidesof said grille and rockably mounted for up-and-down movement of itsends, a link connected between the inner end of said lever and saidclosure at a location downward of said mounting means for opening andclosing said closure upon respective downward and .upward movement ofthe outer lever end, and temperature-responsive actuating means out-.ward of said grille and connected to the outer end of said lever formoving the latter responsive to ambient temperature change, saidactuating means comprising a rod axially movable responsive totemperature change, and a lloating connection between said rod and leverto permit swinging movement of the latter upon axial movement of saidrod.

7. A Ventilating device according to claim 6i, said oating connectioncomprising an edge on said rod bearing against said lever in a directionto rotate the latter, a bearing member slidably carried by said rod andbearing against said lever in said direction, and resilient meansconnected between said rod and bearing member urging the latter in saiddirection under predetermined force to insure the application `of atleast said predetermined force against said rod.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 446,824Tousley Feb. 17, 1891 960,548 Hewitt lune 7, 1910 1,358,193 Fulton Nov.9, 1920 `1,926,120 Snediker Sept. 12, 1933 2,057,494 Y Leigh Oct. 13,1936 2,360,952 Leigh Oct. 24, 1944 2,516,879 Huszagh Aug. l, 19502,596,257 LeighV May 13, 1952 2,814,977 Noll Dec. 3, 1957 2,847,928Glass Aug. 19, 1958 2,987,256 Wood et al. June 6, 1961

5. A VENTILATING DEVICE FOR A BUILDING-WALL OPENING COMPRISING AN OPENBOUNDING STRUCTURE FOR INSERTION IN A BUILDING-WALL OPENING, A GRILLEEXTENDING ACROSS SAID BOUNDING STRUCTURE, A LOWER WALL EXTENDING UPWARDAND INWARD FROM A LOWER REGION OF SAID BOUNDING STRUCTURE, SIDE WALLSEXTENDING INWARD FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BOUNDING STRUCTURE TO SAIDLOWER WALL, MOUNTING MEANS FOR SWINGABLY SECURING A CLOSURE TO AN UPPERREGION OF SAID BOUNDING STRUCTURE, A CLOSURE MOUNTED ON SAID MOUNTINGMEANS AND GRAVITIONALLY URGED TO A POSITION EXTENDING DOWNWARD ANDINWARD INTO CLOSING RELATION WITH SAID LOWER AND SIDE WALLS, SAIDCLOSURE BEING SWINGABLE UPWARD AGAINST GRAVITY AWAY FROM SAID LOWER ANDSIDE WALLS TO AN OPEN POSITION, AN OPERATING LINKAGE, AND ACTUATINGMEANS CARRIED EXTERIORLY OF SAID GRILLE FOR ACTUATING SAID LINKAGE TOPOSITION SAID CLOSURE, SAID LINKAGE COMPRISING A LEVER EXTENDING THROUGHSAID GRILLE HAVING ITS OPPOSITE ENDS RESPECTIVELY OUTWARD AND INWARD OFSAID GRILLE AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS FOR SWINGINGABOUT A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, THE OUTER END OF SAID LEVER BEINGCONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS, AND SAID LINKAGE MEANS COMPRISING ALINK CONNECTING THE INNER END OF SAID LEVER AND SAID CLOSURE AT ALOCATION DOWNWARD OF THE CLOSURE-MOUNTING MEANS FOR ACTUATION OF SAIDLINK AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF SAID CLOSURE IN ALL CLOSURE POSITIONS, SAIDACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A THERMAL-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAIDGRILLE AND CONNECTED TO SAID LINKAGE FOR POSITIONING SAID CLOSURE INRESPONSE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, AND A SHIELD OVER THE EXTERIOR OF SAIDACTUATING MEANS TO EXCLUDE DIRECT SUNLIGHT FROM OPERATING SAID ACTUATINGMEANS.